Cairo: A senior delegation from the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, arrived Friday evening in Cairo for discussions with Egyptian officials concerning the completion of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and establishing mechanisms for advancing to the second phase. In a statement, Hamas confirmed that the delegation is led by Khalil al-Hayya, the movement's leader in Gaza and head of its negotiating team. The negotiations are scheduled to commence on Saturday and are expected to continue for several days, focusing on completing the implementation of the ceasefire.
According to Anadolu Agency, the delegation will engage with Egyptian officials and mediators to finalize the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, address repeated Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, and establish suitable mechanisms for entering the second phase of the agreement. The talks also involve meeting with Palestinian factions to present a unified national position and reach a consensus on addressing the challenges faced by the Palestinian people. The delegation includes Zaher Jabarin, Hamas' leader in the occupied West Bank, and political bureau members Husam Badran and Ghazi Hamad.
US President Donald Trump proposed a 20-point plan in September, outlining a ceasefire framework that includes releasing Israeli captives, Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, forming a technocratic administration, deploying an international stabilization force, and calling for Hamas to disarm. The first phase of the ceasefire agreement included a ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Israel and Palestinian factions, yet Palestinian sources report that Israel has consistently violated the agreement.
Under the second phase, Israel is expected to conduct further withdrawals, while an international stabilization force would manage security responsibilities, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials. Palestinian figures indicate that Israel's genocide in Gaza since October 2023 has resulted in nearly 73,000 Palestinian fatalities and over 173,000 injuries, predominantly affecting women and children. Despite a ceasefire initiated on Oct. 10, 2025, ongoing Israeli army actions have resulted in at least 947 Palestinian deaths and 2,935 injuries, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.